Tourist, 50, mauled to death by two farm dogs in Malaysia as horrified girlfriend watches

A 50-year-old Irish tourist was yesterday mauled to death in front of his girlfriend by two farm dogs.

Maurice Sullivan died from severe injuries to his arm, thigh, chin and ears, which were both bitten off.

The victim and his 28-year-old Polish companion, named locally as Agnieszka Jablonska, had arrived at the organic farm on the northern Malaysian island of Penang on Saturday.

Maurice Sullivan's body is taken away after the horrific attack by the two dogs at the organic farm on the northern Malaysian island of Penang

They had agreed to become volunteers while taking pictures of the tropical fruit durian trees planted in an orchard at the farm in Teluk Bahan.

The farm owner, known only as Teoh, 41, said the couple had become friendly with his dogs since their arrival.

Victim: Irishman Maurice Sullivan died in a horrific attack at the organic farm by two dogs

They were even seen
playing with the two mongrels who were not tied up and were trained to protect the farm from wild boars and pythons.

The couple had just left his hilltop home when the dogs - common cross-breeds- turned on Mr Sullivan in a horrific attack.

Teoh said: 'My wife suddenly heard the sound of dogs barking and when we went to Maurice's rescue, it was too late.'

'It never crossed our mind the dogs, which were very friendly with Maurice yesterday, could maul him to death.'

The
animals will be handed over to the state Veterinary Services
Department where director Wan Mohamad Kamil Wan Nik's officers will
monitor them for 10 days for rabies
before deciding what action to take.

Devastated: Maurice Sullivan's Polish girlfriend Agnieszka Jablonska

One of the cross-breed dogs at the farm which have been trained to protect it from wild boars and pythons

This was the first such fatal attack in the state, he said.

Penang police chief Ayub Yaakob told the Irish Independent that Ms Jablonska had been some distance from her boyfriend when the dogs struck.

He added: 'One of them was very fierce. The girlfriend called the villagers for help but by the time police arrived he was not conscious.'

Ms Jablonska, who met Mr Sullivan through the internet, was seen telephoning the victim's family in Galway to break the tragic news.